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7/16/13

The banisters go black...

Hello and Happy Tuesday, Everyone! I've got to say, I'm pretty excited to be turning 29 for the first time today. ;)

So today I'm sharing with you guys the finishing touch (for now) to our foyer. I know, I know... this thing is turning into a saga.
Last we left it, this is how it looked...

Totally not bad. But after painting the French doors black, the stair banisters and railings up top looked a bit too tan-brown. You can see it a little more in this photo...

Totally wanting to change the stair carpeting eventually and have a prettier runner (maybe a printed neutral?) put in. Definitely need carpeting of some sort on the stairs for Waylon (our 80-lb Golden Retriever) and I like a runner as well. I think it makes them look more finished and far less noisy.
Anyway, that will come later on. The carpeting on them now matches what is upstairs and is totally brand new, so we're not in a hurry.
K, back to the topic at hand...

Here's one more before shot.

Again, totally not bad, but notice the black frame, black chair (in first two photos), and black accessories. Also the big chandelier in there has an oil-rubbed bronze finish which almost looks black (as well as the little pendant lighting in the hallway you can see above). So the stair railing going black just made sense.

While I knew the railing was going a glossy black, the dark brown flooring and side planks of the stairs match, and I LOVE the look of those. So stair planks stay the color of the floor because that just makes sense... because they technically ARE the floor. At least that's what makes sense to me, and it turned out beautifully!

I used Onyx Black by Glidden in a high gloss. It's the perfect deep, glossy black. I did two coats with a small velvety pad paint applicator. You know, those that usually are used for deck stain? Well they sell tiny ones. It worked perfectly. No brush marks! On the underside of the railings around the spindles, I used a small brush to paint around each one. That was a pain. But the end result was worth it.

**edit: I forgot to mention that I DID lightly sand them before painting. They weren't too heavily lacquered before, but did have a bit of a sheen.

I also painted the railing on the little "lookout" area above the family room.

Loving that as well. Not loving how yellow the paint up there is pulling on camera...haha. If I could reach that myself, let's be honest, I would have already changed that. It's really a a more warm tan in person, but I'd love something a little more gray. I'd love to have it re-painted in the pretty Castle Path shade by Behr that we had all throughout our first house. We've got plenty of time... ;)

I love how the wood grain is still really noticeable. Seeing the natural texture of the wood makes it look like they've always been black!

After living with the white in the foyer for weeks now, I'm absolutely LOVING it. Nothing like a crisp white foyer. It really makes the house look open and inviting when you enter. With the black railings, it's such a classic combo, but looks a little modern too.

Hey Tiffany! I've been following your blog for a couple years now and don't think I have ever left a comment! But wanted to say how much I love your blog! I love all the makeup tips and now the house tips! Your foyer is amazinggggg! I just did my foyer last week...check it out!

First of all HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I love the black banister! I painted my front door black and and currently working on painting our patio French doors black as well. We have white trim and dark wood floors and a neutral tan wall color and the black doors look AMAZING! I saw a pin on Pinterest where they painted bedroom doors black and then I saw your post and it gave me the courage to do it! So thanks girl! I love all your blog posts and YouTube videos. I totally changed my makeup because of you and I'm loving it. I hope you are having a fabulous birthday!!!!!

It's beautiful Tiffany! The contrast in the colors definitely made the house very modern and chic.. very easy on the eyes. I would agree on grays for the upstairs walls, the tan is pulling too warm against the black and white. Very impressed with your decorating and painting skills :)

Oh my gosh! I was JUST thinking about how I thought you should paint the banister black when you show us the new foyer color! It makes the WHOLE space come together more and look a lot more chic! Great choice Tiffany!

Looks really beautiful. It just tied everything together and made it look like it was meant to be that way. I think the flooring provides a nice contrast to the black details you are adding. I had hard wood stairs once without carpet and I fell more times than I can count. Especially is sock feet. :)

Beautiful!! im getting a lot of ideas from you, even if i live in the Caribbean, and here traditionally we paint our houses in warm colors, and we use a lot of mahogany wood all over the place. I love your style very much, and im trying to incorporate it in mine but too from what i have! Painting my walls all white next week, this post came right on time!!

I love this and I'm proud of you for having the courage to paint them, I always get nervous with stuff like that, what if it doesn't work? What if i get it everywhere? did you use drop cloths everywhere? I would love to see a "Tiffany messed up doing something hard" picture, you make it look so dang easy.